The key finding
A comprehensive 2026 review of 33 studies found that early motor skills consistently predict cognitive abilities in young children from birth to age 5. Fine motor skills—like grasping, manipulating objects, and hand-eye coordination—showed particularly strong associations with later thinking abilities in typically developing children. Among children diagnosed with or at high risk of cerebral palsy (CP), motor delays were frequently linked to poorer cognitive performance, though developmental paths varied more widely in this population.
What the study looked like
Researchers conducted a scoping review by searching five major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane) for studies examining both motor and cognitive outcomes in children from birth through 5 years of age. The review included 33 studies that met inclusion criteria, encompassing both typically developing children and those diagnosed with or at high risk for cerebral palsy. Studies assessed various motor skills—including gross motor abilities like walking and running, and fine motor skills like picking up small objects—alongside cognitive measures such as problem-solving, language development, and general intelligence. The review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines to systematically synthesize findings across these diverse studies.
Why researchers think this happened
The authors propose that motor experiences during early childhood provide crucial opportunities for cognitive learning. When infants reach, grasp, and explore objects, they’re not just building muscle coordination—they’re gathering information about how the world works, testing cause-and-effect relationships, and developing problem-solving strategies. Fine motor skills may show especially strong cognitive connections because manipulating objects requires planning, attention, and spatial reasoning. For children with or at high risk of CP, motor impairments may constrain opportunities for this hands-on exploration of the environment, potentially limiting cognitive development. The more variable trajectories in children with CP suggest that the relationship between motor and cognitive development is complex and may depend on individual differences in severity, intervention timing, and compensatory strategies these children develop.
How to read this carefully
This scoping review synthesized existing studies rather than collecting new data, meaning findings reflect associations observed across diverse research designs and populations. Importantly, the consistent link between motor skills and cognition doesn’t prove that motor abilities cause cognitive development—both could be influenced by common underlying factors like brain maturation, environmental stimulation, or overall health. The review included only 33 studies, and methodologies varied across them, making direct comparisons challenging. For children with CP specifically, the “high risk” category encompasses children with varying likelihood of diagnosis, adding uncertainty. The research cannot tell us whether improving motor skills would necessarily boost cognitive outcomes, though it raises that possibility worth investigating.
What this means for everyday life
Given these findings, parents and caregivers might consider providing young children with rich opportunities for hands-on exploration and motor play—activities like stacking blocks, finger painting, playing with textured objects, or simple puzzles. For children showing motor delays or diagnosed with conditions affecting movement, this research suggests that supporting motor development could have benefits extending beyond physical skills alone. Early intervention programs might benefit from integrated approaches addressing both motor and cognitive domains together rather than treating them as separate developmental tracks. For families of children at risk for CP, early assessment and support for motor skills may be particularly valuable, though parents should work closely with healthcare providers to understand their child’s individual needs and developmental path.